HB 4121
Creates authority to coordinate emergency management.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
53%
Oppose
47%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes a statewide emergency preparedness office, SPARTICIS, within the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, to coordinate emergency management efforts across the state. It authorizes bonding for public safety projects, requires state agencies to designate emergency management liaisons, and modifies existing laws related to Resilience Hubs and Networks. The bill also creates funding accounts to support regional facilities, stockpile supplies, and training programs, and establishes a process for awarding grants to local governments and private entities for emergency preparedness projects. Finally, it creates a Regional Training Office and an advisory board to support these initiatives.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
James Manning Jr.
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of House Bill 4121 emphasize the need for effective emergency coordination across Oregon, particularly in preparation for high-impact events like a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. They highlight the bill's provisions for reliable emergency communications, firefighter health and wellness, and training centers, as well as its role in strengthening training and emergency management systems statewide. The bill is seen as crucial in addressing the growing public safety sector and ensuring that Oregonians with disabilities receive aid during disasters through an opt-in database. Supporters also emphasize the importance of substantial investment in Oregon's resilience efforts, including funding for community resilience hubs and completing projects like the Central Oregon Ready, Responsive, Resilient (CORE3) center.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of HB 4121 express concerns that creating a statewide office for emergency preparedness coordination would hinder local efforts, lead to overreach and unnecessary expenses, and create additional bureaucracy. Many that revisions to duties can be incorporated into existing programs without significant cost or disruption, and that the bill's expansion of government growth would slow down local responses and increase taxes. Some also argue that the bill would empower non-profit corporations in command positions, lead to dependency on the government rather than individual self-sufficiency, and undermine private sector property rights and economic freedom.
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